NEW USER

CURRENT USERS LOGIN

2 Comments

tsias1June 8, 2011 at 4:46 pm

Perhaps we should take it easy a bit. This is a big step forward on Starwoods part, especially considering green efforts from other hotel properties. If we continue to bash companies' initiatives and efforts to adopt greener operations, they will soon become discouraged. I suggest we applaud Starwood for setting a possitive example. I'm sure this is just the beginning.

calvin kMarch 24, 2011 at 4:33 pm

It's a good step to use more eco friendly materials in construction and furnishing... but to be actually environmentally conscious with an impact, and not just a marketable veneer, I think it will be great if the focus is more on the day to day operations of the hotel -- which I will think are longer lasting and have more effect on the environment.
For example, how are the sheets washed? the floors? heating, cooling, energy source? solar panels? microwave and fridge when not in use? (which consume quite a bit of power even when they are idle)
How about the numerous toiletries in plastic bottles and bags that usually litter the washroom? (on the website they claim the use of dispenser but in the photo it still shows soap in bag and lotion in plastic bottle)
Is the roof top terrace a green roof? doesn't seem like it... and why not?
It's a nice gesture but I will personally like to see a more bolder approach. For me it seems they picked mostly from the easy-to-do list. They keep mentioning "pursuing LEED" "aims for LEED certification" but at no where states what certification they actually get, if any. (And the constant use of "Green" is also really borderline-ing greenwashing... a branding exercise)